In an interesting development, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it will continue to maintain free trade access for goods and services from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger despite their official withdrawal from the bloc.
The official withdrawal for the three Sahellian countries takes effect today, Wednesday, January 29, 2025, but ECOWAS says their goods and services are still protected by the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and Investment Policy.
The three states have been officially withdrawn from the regional bloc due to the failure to return to civilian rule after a series of military takeovers.
Despite the grace period for these states to reinstate civilian rule, the military continue to hold on to power hence the decision of ECOWAS.
Although this withdrawal ought to have come with strict sanctions, ECOWAS says there is a need to “avoid confusion and disruption in the lives and businesses of our people during this transition period.”
Despite the sanctions, ECOWAS has directed all member states to open their doors to citizens, goods, and services originating from the withdrawn states.
“Continue to treat goods and services coming from three countries in accordance with the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and investment policy,” a statement issued by the ECOWAS Commission on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
In addition, the Commission has also directed all member states to recognize National passports and identify cards bearing the ECOWAS logo held by the citizens of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali, and the Republic of Niger, until further notice.
Member states are also directed “to allow citizens of the three affected countries to continue to enjoy the right of visa-free movement, residence, and establishment in accordance with the ECOWAS protocols until further notice.”
This development underscores the delicate balance ECOWAS must strike between enforcing its protocols and preserving regional economic cooperation amid shifting political landscapes.
